Envelope-filling machine



Dec., 14 1926. 1,610,965

W. B, RANNEY ET AL ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1925 4 sheets-sheet 1 Dec. 14 1926.

W. B. RANNEY ET AL ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1925 L Sheets-Sheryl'I z:

W. B. RANNEY ET AL ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet @eeuw 11.4 1926.

W. E. RANNEY ET AL ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July Q 1925 Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLET B. RANNEY, OF CHICAGO, AND ARTHUR E. JOHNSON, OF MAYWOOI), ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO WM. WRIGLEY, J' R. CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF .WEST VIRGINIA.

ENVELOPE-FILIING MACHINE.

Application led July 9, 1925. Serial No. 42,351.

This invention relates to improvements in envelope filling machines and more partielllarly to a machinefor inserting cards, circulars and like matter into envelopes preparatory to sealing and mailing.

The object of the resent invention is to provide a machine or accomplishing mechanically what has heretofore been done by hand, namely, the operation of inserting the contents or enclosures into envelopes.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawings, inl which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing a complete assembly of the machine;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail View of a section of the machine showing the essential parts of the filling mechanism;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2, showing the parts of the filling mechanism in top plan view;

Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 2, showing the parts in'an advanced position as a card is being inserted into the envelope;

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 with the parts advanced to the same position shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a detail view in vertical section taken'on line 6 6 of Figure 4; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the envelope discharge track and mechanism associated therewith. r

As clearly shown in Figure 1, the main parts of the machine are a rotative wheel 1, mounted on a vertical frame consisting of a rectangular plate 2, supported on a suitable base plate 3. The wheel 1 rotates about a horizontal axis and is keyed to a shaft 4 journalled centrally of the plate 2. ,On the opposite side of the plate 2, and not shown, is suitable driving mechanism for the wheel 1, preferably an elect-ric motor, with a suitable form of speed reducing gearing between the motor and the shaft. The wheel 1 is about 21/2 or 3 feet in 1 diameter and resembles very much the ordinary cast metal pulley wheel, consisting of ahub portion 5, which is keyed to the shaft 4, a series of radial spokes 6, and a rim 7 When in operation the wheel rotates continuously at a relatively slow speed and in the same direction, namely, counter-clockwise, as indicated by the arrows.

ether. These magazines are secured in lixed position upon the plate 2 and consist generally of skeleton frames which form rectangular containers open at their upper ends so that stacks of cards and envelopes may be supplied from time to time. Extending circumferentially about the upper portion of the periphery of the wheel, and throughout an arc of slightly more than 90, is a fixed guide bar 10, curvedto conform to the periphery of the wheel 1, and spaced a short distance from the rim thereof. This guide bar extends from a point immediately rearlwardly of the card-magazine 8,.and beneath both magazines and to a delivery track 11, extending horizontally and radially from the wheel 1, beyond the magazines. The guide bar 10 is substantially half the width of the wheelrim 7 and is positioned midway between the edges of the rim, with a narrow vmarginal portion of the latter extending outwardly on either side of the bar, as clearly shown 1n Figure 3. Brackets 10a, at each end ofthe guide bar 10, support it upon the plate 2 of the machine frame.

Fixed to the rim 7 of the wheel 1, are series of do s 12, arranged in pairs preferably locate The dogs of each pair are spaced apart transversely of the rim and near its edges, as clearly shown in Figure 2, the distance between each pair of dogs being slightly greater than the width of the guide 10,\so that as the wheel revolves each pair of dogs straddles the bar. As clearly shown in Figure 2, each dog consists of a block 12a iiXed to the rim of the wheel by means of a screw opposite the several spokes 6.

13. said block being elongated circumferentially of the wheel and provided at its rear end with an adjustable blade 14, held against a beveled face at the rear of the block by the block and forming therewith a forwardly facing L-shaped notch 16.

Referring further to the magazines 8 and 9, the same preferably consist of longitudinal and transverse strips 17 and 18, of strap iron secured together to form an open receptacle rectangular in cross section and of a size to hold stacks of cards and envelopes. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the magazine 8 is adapted to be filled with a stack of inserts in the form of folded cards A, of relatively stiff material with their folded edges facing forwardly andl toward the magazine 9. 1n the magazine 9 is a stackof envelopes B, of the usual form, opening along one edge and a. sealing flap I) for the opening. These envelopes are inserted in the envelope magazine with their open side facing downwardly and the sealing flap extending outwardly and toward the card magazine S.

Forming a part of the insert or card magazine is a gate member 19, consisting of a flat bar mounted to slide lengthwise along the front side of the magazine and having its lower edge beveled and normally spaced a short distance above the top surface of t-he guide 10, which. as clearly shown in Figure 2, is flattened immediately below the magazine 8 to form a support for the stack of cards A in the magazine. This space between the top surface of the guide 10 and the lower edge of the gate member 19, provides a discharge slot 2() through which the cards A may be delivered one at a time, said gate member 19 being adjustable so as to increase or decrease the width of the slot as determined by the thickness of the cards A. It may be mentioned at this point, that while folded cards of relatively stiff material have been shown, the machine may be equally well utilized for cards of single thickness o r folded circulars ofY a relatively thin paper. although perhaps stift'er cards, either single or folded, can be more satisfactorily handled in a machine of this type. It is therefore to provide for different types of cards that the adjustable gate member 19 is provided, as well as the adjustable blade 14 on the blocks 12, the latter being adjustable for height so that only a single card will be picked up by each pair of dogs as it passes beneath the magazine.

Intermedlate the two magazlnes 1s located what may be termed the card feeding and the blocks. The fingers 21 are fixed to the lower ends of these shafts and at their upper ends are provided coil tension sprlngs 25, having one end fixed to the shaft and the other end to pins 24e in the blocks 23, so as to exert tension on the pins 24 tending to swing the fingers inwardly and toward each other to the position shown in Figure 3.'

For the purpose of limiting the inward swinging movement of the fingers 21 under the action of the springs 25, each finger is provided with a lug 2G, adapted in the contracted positions of the fingers to engage stop members in the form of an adjustable set screw 27 carried by an arm 28, secured to the bar 22 adjacent cach end. i

As clearly shown in Figures 2 and 8, the fingers 21-.21, are tapered toward their free ends and are grooved along their side edges, said grooves facing inwardly toward the card magazine S. Moreover, the pivted ends of the fingers project toward the card magazine and have a flared opening immediately opposite the slot 20, from which the ca rds are discharged.

Referring now to- Figures 2 and 3 it may be readily seen how the cards are delivered from the card magazine into the envelopes 1 in the magazine 9. Assuming that a pair of dogs 12 have just passed beneath the rear end of the card magazine 8 and engaged the rear edge of tlfe lowermost card A in the notch 16, the card is picked up and carried forwardly through the slot 20 and toward the contracted fingers 21. The corners of the card strike the fingers just inwardly from their axes of rotation and are swung outwardly, their free ends entering the lowermost envelope to extend it to receive the card A. (See Figures 4 and 5). It will be noted that the forward ends of the fingers,

when contracted lie in the opening to the lowermcst envelope and underneath the sealing flap b, and after being extended assume a parallel position so that the card with its edges engaging the grooves in the fingers is guided directly into the envelope.

In order to keep the flaps Z) of the envelopes extended and held out vof the path of the advancing cards, a finger 29 is secured centrally of the bar 22 with its end project ing laterally toward the envelope magazine and at a slight downward angle s o that the tips of the envelope flaps Z) are held in extended position as the envelopes are released from the magazine.

Having thus entered the envelope thus prepared to receive it, the card continues to be carried forward by the dogs until it strikes the bottom of the envelope, which is in turn picked up by the card and carried forward. Before describing the operation further, however, the mechanism for handling the filled envelopes will first be described.

Immediately beyond the envelope magazine 9 and spaced radially from the guide bar 10, is a short curved bar 30, concentric with the portion of the guide beyond the magazines and terminating short of its lower end. This curved section 30 is secured to the flame by a bracket 31, and at its lower end by the salue bracket 10" supporting the bar 10, and, as shown in Figure 2, formsa curvilinear slot 30 between it and the guide bar l0, opening toward the base ot the envelope magazine 9. At cach of the rear corners ot' the envelope. magazine 9 are vertically adjustable gate men'ibers 32. consisting of bars beveled at their lower ends and spaced immediately above guide blocks 33 in alincment with the side edges of the envelope. These gate members 32 arehso adjusted as to provide a slot just wide enough to permit a single envelope to pass between. Moreover, this slot is adjusted to the thickness of an empty envelope, since ordinarily there is a small clearance between the ends of the card or insert and the extreme edges of the envelope, so that the discharge of only one envelope at a time 1s assured, although the slot is gan-ged to admit the passage of an empty envelope.

Thus, to continue the operation, the dogs 12 continue to advance the card A, now inserted in its envelope B, carrying both from the bottom of the envelope magazine into the slot 30a. where it follows the slot in a downward direction, dropping' bv grav ity, and ahead of the dogs, on to the delivery track 1l, extending horizontally and radially from the wheel on the discharge side of the magazines.

This discharge track 1l consists of an elongated plate, with side anges ll, of substantially the width of the envelopes and of any length desired. (lo-operating with the track are two endless belts 34-34, each traveling along the surface of this track near each edge, and carried on sets of pulleys. There are preferably three pulleys for each belt. one pulley 36 being located at the inner end of the track, another pulley 37 immediately below the-pulley 36, and the third pulley f not shown) at the extreme outer end of the track. The pulleys are soarranged that the belts travel along the bottom of the track l1 and at a relatively slow speed `so as to carry the envelopes toward the discharge end of the track as they drop on to the track.

As clearly shown in Figure l, the track l1 is supported by means of a bracket 38 fixed to the forward edge of the frame plate 2, said bracket supporting the journal bearings for the pair of belt pulleys, 36 and 37, adjacent thereto. The belt may be driven in any suitable way, such as a sprocket drive from the driving motor through the shaft of one of the pulleys 36 or 37.

The manner in which the cards are successively picked up by the pairs of' dogs from the magazine 8 and delivered into the envelopes in the magazine 9 and the latter d'schargcd through the slot between the guide bar l() and the bar l() has already been described. As clearly evident from Figure l the filled envelopes drop vertically downward from the end ot' the slot on to the tra-ck 1l and the traveling belts moving continuously in an outward direction along the surface of' the track. ln order that the envelopes will assume a regular .forn'xation as they are moving outwardly on thc track, means are preferably provided for tilting trie envelopes in a dire'cton away from the machine as they are received on the belt. Thus, as shown in Figure 7, a pair of vertical rods 39-39'iextend upwardly from the inner end of the track and terminate in curved extremities bearing flush against the lower end of the guide bar 10. These bars act to deflect the envelopes outwardlyfrom th-e inner end of the track. In addition to these bars, a-positively actuated tilting device is provided, which consists of an upright spring linger 40 carried upon an arm 407"t fixed to a sleeve 4l journalled on the same stub-shaft which supports one of the upper belt pulleys 36. Also fixed to the sleeve 4l and extending downwardly and inwardly beyond the rim? of the wheel is a trip-linger 42. Fixed to each' one of the spokes 6 of the wheel and near the rim thereof is a lug 43 adapted to engage the trip-finger 42 as the wheel revolves. As shown in Figure 7, the finger 40 normally assumes a vertical position just at one side of the guide bar 10, and just behind a position assumed by each envelope as it reaches the track. The spring linger 40 is preferably a thin strip of metal,-and the swing-A ing movement is limited to substantially the upright position by the striking of the arm 40a against the rear end of the track 11. Connected with the arm 40"L is a coil spring 44 fixed at its opposite end to the side of the track at a distance forwardly of the tilting device. Thus, asthe spring arm 40 is tripped by the lugs 43` the entire device is retracted and suddenly released, whereupon the spring 44 acting to carry the spring finger forwardly, which being flexible is snapped into contact with each envelope as it reaches the track, giving it the necessary impetus to tilt it over on to the track in the opposite direction,

After the delivery of the filled envelopes along the track ll, they areremoved and the flaps are sealed preparatory to mailing.`

As an added feature of the machine and used particularly when difficulty is experienced in properly extending the envelopes to receive the contents, is the application of air pressure for inflating the envelopes, so that lUO the card may enter more freely. Thus a small air pipe 44 leads from a suitable source of air supply to the machine and passes immediately beneath the guide bar l0 from its forward edge and just above the rim of the wheel. The end of the air pipe terminates n1 an upturned nozzle all. centrally and Just below the opening of each envelope, said nozzle heilig slightly inclined toward the body of the envcloaso that by blowing air into the envelope it is iufiated :.utticicntly to permit the lingers to pass more easily into it,

as well as the cards, It is possible also to use air pressure for tipping the envelopes over as they reach the delivery track, although the tipping device herein described is perhaps to be preferred since it is more positive iu its action.

Having therefore described the construction and operation of the envelope filling machine, We claim as our invention:

l. In a machine of the character described the combination of a movable carrier, means for feeding inserts into the path of said carrier, means for feeding envelopes into the path of said inserts, and means operative by the advancing inserts for expanding the openings of said envelopesto receive the same. Y

2. In a machine of the charactei` described the combination of a carrier, means for positioning an insert in the path of said carrier, means for positioning an open envelope in the path of said insert, and guiding means located intermediate said insert and envelope positioning means and operative by said insert to extend the opening of said envelope to receive the same.

3. In a machine of the character described the combination of a continuously movable carrier provided with insert engaging inem-- bers, means for feeding inserts into the path of said carrier, means for feeding open envelopes into the path of the inserts being advanced on said carrier, and means for guiding said'inserts into said envelopes, comprising guide members operative by the advancing inserts to extend into the opening of successive envelopes.

1l. In a machine of the character described the combination of a continuously movable carrier, means for positioning an insert in the path of said carrier, means for positioning an open envelope in advance of said insert, and guide members located in the path of the advancing inserts and actuated thereby to enter and extend the opening of the envelope to receive the same,

5. In a machine of the character described the coi'nbination of a carrier movable continuously in one direct-ion and provided with series of pick-up members, envelope and insert magazines located adjacent said carrier and adapted to feed the contents thereof successively into the path of said insert engagmg members, and means located intermediate said magazines and actuated by the advancing contents of one of said magazines, to expand the openingsl of said envelopes and to guide said inserts thereinto.

6. In a machine of the character described the combination of a moving carrier provided with insert enga-ging members spaced apartat intervals, means for feeding successive inserts into the path of said engaging members, means in advance of said insert feeding means for feeding open envelopes into the path of said inserts moving on said arrier, and guide members mounted between said insert and envelope feeding means, and operative by the advancing inserts to extend the opening of successive envelopes to receive the same.

7 In a machine of the character described the combination of a rotative circular carrier provided with insert engaging members spaced apart at intervals about its periphery, means for feeding successive inserts by gravity into the path of said engaging members, means in advance of said insert feeding means for feeding envelopes into thepath of said insertsy With their openings facing toward said inserts, and guide members mounted between said insert and envelope feeding means, and operative by each advancing insert to extend the opening of successive envelopes.

8. In a machine of the character described the combination of a moving carrier provided with insert engaging members spaced apart at intervals, means for feeding successive inserts into the path of said engaging members, means in advance of said insert feeding means for feeding envelopes into the path of said inserts moving on said carrier with their openings facing toward said inserts,' and insert guiding members, mounted between said insert and envelope feeding means and comprising a grooved linger mounted to swing into the plane of said inserts, and into the opening of each envelope.

9. In a machine of the character described the combination of a moving carrier provided With insert engaging members spaced apart at intervals, means for feeding successive inserts into the path of said engaging members, means in advance of said insert feeding means for feeding envelopes into the path of said inserts moving on said carrier- With their openings facing toward said inserts, and insert guiding members, mounted between said insert and envelope feeding means and comprising fingers, mounted to swing into the plane of said inserts, and provided With lateral grooves adapted to be engaged by opposite edges of said inserts, with their free ends extending into the opening of said envelopes.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a moving carrier provided with insert engaging members spaced apart at intervals, means for feeding successive inserts into the path of said engaging members, means in advance of said insert feeding means for feeding envelopes into the path of the advancing inserts with their openings facing toward said inserts, and insert guiding members mounted between said insert and envelope feeding means and c0mprising guide lingers pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the path of said inserts and normally positioned to converge toward the envelope to be illedfv said lingers being swung outwardly by the advancing inserts `with their ends extending the opening of the i envelope to receive said insert.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a movlng carrier provided with insert engaging members-` spaced apart at intervals, means for feeding successive inserts intov the path of said engaging members, means in advance of said insert feeding means for feeding envelopes into the path of said inserts moving on said carrier with their openings facing toward said inserts, and insert guiding members, mounted between said insert and envelope feeding means, and comprising fingers pivotallv mounted at either side of the path of said inserts, and provided with laterally facing guide'grooves adapted to engage opposite edges of said inserts. said lingers being normallyT positioned in the path of the advancing inserts for Contact therewith, whereby the same are swung outwardly with their free ends extending the openings of successive envelopes.

In Witness whereof, We hereunto subscribe our names this 8rd day of July, A. D. 1925.

VILLET B. RANNEY. ARTHUR E. JOHNSON gli 

